Apparatus for respiring within spaces full of smoke or noxious gases.



No. 807,666. .PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905. J. 11. DRAGBR.

APPARATUS FOR RESPIRING WITHIN SPAOESFULL 0P SMOKE OR NOXIOUS GASES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 807,666. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905.

J. H. DRAGER.

APPARATUS FOR RESPIRING WITHIN SPACES FULL OF SMOKE OR NOXIOUS GASES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23,- 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2,

"tion.

TTNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1905.

Application filed May 28, 1904. Serial No. 209,321.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHANN HEINRICH Dali-7 GER, residing at Liibeck. in the German Empire, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Apparatus for Respiring Within Spaces Full of Smoke or Noxious Gases, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in respiratory apparatus for [i remen, miners, and others engaged in dangerous work where poisonous smoke or other noxious gases are present; and the object of the same is to provide simple and effective means for easily throwing on the apparatus and accommodating it to the body of the operator and for regenerating the exhaled air of the latter in such a manner that a suflicient amount of air enriched with oxygen and freed from carbonic acid may be continuously supplied to the respiratory organs on the part of the operator within the interior of the air-tight-fitting breathing mask or helmet.

To these ends the invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of several parts of the apparatus, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts of the apparatus in the several figures, Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view, partly in section, illustrating the main parts of the apparatus embodying the invention, but separated from the frame or support by which the apparatus is carried by the operator. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the frame or support provided with shoulder-straps by means of which the apparatus is attached to the back of the operator, parts of the respiratory apparatus being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line I II, Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a side elevation of the said support carried by the operator in two different positions. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a device to be inserted into the breathing-duct of the respiratory apparatus and which is designed to be used for purifyingthat is, absorbing the superfluous carbonicacid gas fromthe exhaled air of the operator. Figs. 7 to 10 illustrate details of the absorbing device, Fig. 6, forming part of the inven- Fig. 11 isa front view of the breathing-helmet provided with pneumatic packingrings and to which is attached a bag of impermeable material which serves as an airreservoir, as well as for the reception of an india-rubber air-pump designed to inflate the said pneumatic packing-rings. Figs. 12 and 13 are side elevations of the helmet illustrated by Fig. 11, and Figs. 14 and 15 are details of the pneumatic packing-ring and the dischargepipe of the air-pump thereto attached.

The respiratory apparatus embodying the present invention consists of the helmet or mask A, the air-regenerator B, the air-cooler O, and the oxygen vessel D, with their accessories and connecting hoses or pipes. The purified air to be inhaled by the operator enters the hermetically-shut-oif space within the helmet for the respiratory organs through the duct (4, while the exhaled air, which is laden with carbonic-acid gas, is drawn through the duct 6, the regenerator B, duct 0, cooler C, and duct cl from the lowerpart of the impermeable bag E with the aid of an injector e. which discharges a fine jet of oxygen from the vessel D into the air-supply duct a, thus securing a constant circulation of air without affecting the lungs of the operator in any Way. The exhaled or foul air laden with carbonicacid gas is regenerated, since the superfluous carbonic acid gas contained therein is absorbed within the purifier B, refreshed within the cooler C, and enriched with pure oxygen from the vessel D as to be suitable for inhalation anew.

The pressure of the oxygen feeding the injector e is controlled by a reduction-valve Z of known construction, and the air circulation within the apparatus is set into or out of action simply by opening or closing the valve g at the discharge branch of the oxygen vessel D, which is so arranged on the support or frame F, Fig. 2, that the handle of the valve may be easily accessible by the hand of the operator. By means of a pressure-gage h of known construction close to the reductionvalve f the content of the oxygen vessel may be at any time controlled from without.

For regenerating the air for inhalation that is, to absorb the superfluous carbonicacid gas contained therein prior to its enriching with pure oxygencaustic potash or soda is preferably used in a granulous state. For this purpose, indeed, heretofore apparatus have been employed in which sticks of caustic potash or receptacles filled with caustic-potash or soda granules are used, through which the air is caused to circulate for absorption of the carbonic acid therefrom. By the absorption of carbonic acid and water, however, the caustic potash liquefies, and the removal of the caustic liquid was attended with considerable difficulties independent of the fact that the caustic potash in this form offers only a small surface or too great resistance to the air streaming therethrough and very soon becomes ineifective or the air-passages are entirely stopped or clogged. In order to overcome these objections, according to the present invention granulated caustic potash is arranged in thin sheets or layers, and it has been recognized that if such granules are arranged within a closed casing in thin layers so distributed over one another on fiat shelves that the circulating air being inhaled is forced to pass over each separate layer and to come into contact with each grain of caustic potash the capacity of absorption of the latter is completely utilized. At the same time measures are taken to provide for the potash-lye so formed being sucked up beneath each layer and retained and to prevent the passage of air over each layer from being choked.

In the device Figs. 6 to 10 embodying the above features a number of flat shelves at n are arranged in superlying order in a cylindrical or prismatical hollow casing B, to the bottoms of which the air-ducts b and 0, respectively, are attached in the-usual manner. The shelves are arranged in pairs, of which the one 72, contacting at its outer edge with the wall of the casing B, is provided with a central f unnel-like opening n in its base, and the other, it, of smaller diameter, is provided on its outer edge with indentations n so that the air passing through the casing is led from the central entrance in the upper bottom of the latter over the outer edge of the first (uppermost) shelf at to the central opening a of the following shelf 92, and so on over the surface of the series of shelves. The shelves are kept at a definite distance from one another and stationary relative to the casing by means of suitable depressions n n and protuberances or indentations n respectively, the caustic-potash grains being protected against falling out by means of sieves or Wire-web screens m, lying upon the shelves, and thus admitting the device to be turned or positioned at will. In this arrangement, however, the bases of the series of shelves are covered with an absorbent, such as blotting-paper p, which immediately absorbs the moisture from the caustic potash resting thereon, so that the latter is continuously kept porous and efiective. Thecooler or refrigerator 0, inserted between the air-ducts 0 and (Z, is designed for cooling the air freed from the superfluous carbonic-acid gas on its passage to the air-duct a. It consists of a jacketed hollow cylinder, to the inner wall 0 of which the ductsc and (Z are connected in such a manner that the air entering'at the upper end of the hollow cylinder is caused to pass from above to below the annular space all round between the inner and outer wall 0 c of the cooler unto a to enable the operator of observations.

the duct (Z, connected therewith at the lower end. As the proportion of the inner and outer cooling-surfaces to the annular hollow space through which the breathing air passes on its way to the helmet is a considerably large one, an effective cooling of the breathing air will take place solely by the surrounding atmosphere or medium without the cylinder 0. The circulation of the breathing air in the apparatus herein described is caused, as aforesaid, by way of the oxygen-injector e, communicating at the one end with the reduction-valve Z, attached to the oxygen vessel D, and at the other end with the chamber forming the junction between the ducts d and a. This injector, while causing an effective circulation of the breathing air within the ducts, helmet A, and bag E, also serves to enrich the breathing air in the duct a with oxygen, and ahand-operated valve suitably attached to the helmet may be used to control the air-pressure within the space of the helmet for the respiratory organs. The helmet proper consists of a hood (4, the hind part of which being cut away and provided at its front part with a glazed window y the suitably-shaped somewhat-projecting window ample space within the interior of the helmet for the respiratory organs is formed, and air-tight packing-rings a a are adapted to shut off the space for the respiratory organs from the atmosphere or medium without, while a piece of leather a is designed to protect the hind part of the operators head. Air-tight packing-rings heretofore employed for this purpose provide only a very defective closure. The weight of the helmet bearing on the skull-cap presses on the air-ring only at this point, while the chin part of the mask is forced away from the chin. Moreover, when the air-tube rests only on the skull a burdensome pressure is exerted on the head. These disadvantages are overcome under the present invention in that the air-ring a, which is of itself already known, resting on the skull-- cap is beneath the shell of the helmet so connected with an air-ring (a surrounding the face and resting in the rigid neck or chin part a of the helmet, that on inflation it presses the air-ring encircling the face against the chin, whereby a closure of the breathing-space within the helmet uniform all round the face is obtained. As besides the upper air-ring a beneath the shell of the helmet is formed in the manner of an air-cushion, the weight of the helmet is distributed over a greater surface of the skull and is so carried without the burdensomeness heretofore involved.

The simultaneous inflation of the air-cushion (fi, resting on the skull-cap, and the airring (0*, surrounding the face of the operator, is preferably efiected by means of an indiarubber air-pump of the type generally employed in connection with atomizers. The air-pump 21 and its connection through an india-rubber hose or pipe 6 with the air-ring a within the helmet is more particularly illustrated in Figs. 11, 12, 14, and 15, where it will be seen that an outlet-valve i is provided in the air-duct leading from the air-pump i to the air-ring (0*. This air-outlet valve consists of the threaded socket-piece 1', attached to and extending from the interior to the outside of the shell of the helmet, and of a screw-cap 2', provided with a lateral opening i and fitting over the thread of the socket-piece 2' In the drawings the valve is shown in open position, and the arrow, Fig. 15, indicates the way the compressed air takes on escaping from the air-ring a and air-cushion a It is evident that for the purpose of setting the apparatus at work and inflating the air-ring and cushion the cap z'* needs to be screwed on the socket-piece a, so that the valve 2' will tightly close the mouth of the socket-piece.

Whenever it is desired to permit fresh air from without to enter the space within the helmet to the respiratory organs of the operator or to get access to the india-rubber ball a, the air-tight connection of the breathing-bag E with the lower socket a of the helmetA may be expeditely broken by the operator. To

this end the ring is, over which the bag E is drawn and which is hinged to the socket a of the helmet, may be swung back, Fig. 13, by agitating a toggle-joint, which is designed to tightly draw the ring is toward the lower edge of the socket a, Fig. 12. The toggle-joint is composed of two links is, pivoted at their upper end to the outside of the socket a and loosely connected at their lower end with the free end of the angular branches k of a bow k pivoted to thebag-ring it. In order that independent of the thickness of the packingring employed to tighten the joint between the ring-1c and the socket a of the helmet, the eye of the hinge-joint part (0 into which fits the pin is of the ring is, is elongated in the direction parallel to the axis of the socket in order to permit a certain play of the parts which enables the ring In to fit exactly to the edge of the socket a when the toggle is turned from the position of Fig. 13 into that of Fig. 12.

The support or frame F to which the parts and fittings of the herein-described apparatus for regenerating the breathing-air exhaled within the helmet by the operator are suitably fastened is provided with two boards or plates ff, Figs. 2 to 5, which are devised to bear upon the back of the operator, who carries the apparatus with the aid of the shoulder-straps f in ordinary manner; but in order that the plates f f are enabled to properly yield to or amply follow the movements of the operators back that is, to accommodate their position according with the attitude of the operatorthe plates are not rigidly fastened to the frame or support, but connected thereto by pivots Fffirespectively.

The support is preferably so devised that either one or two regenerators or air-purifiers may be inserted into the air-duct, and to this respect a connecting-pipe c is provided in the air-duct, instead of which a second regenerator may be applied. This, however, implies that means for attaching a second oxygen vessel to the support F are provided and that the same may be set at work by simply reversing a cook or valve arranged in a suitable connecting-pipe between the discharge-pipes of the vessels. Suitable means f f f f are provided for holding the oxygen vessel D, with its fittings and the exchangeable regenerators B, in position, and therefore the respiratory apparatus involving the present invention may be adapted for a shorter or enduring time of continuance in an atmosphere laden with poisonous or noxious gases. Ready-charged regenerators and oxygen vessels may be kept in stock and inserted at any time to be combined with the apparatus, which in all other respects needs no particular attention and is at any time rapidly brought into or kept ready in working condition.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a respiratory apparatus, a mask having a face and a head portion, a pneumatic packing surrounding the face portion, and a pneumatic packing in the head portion cooperating with the packing of the face portion.

2. In a respiratory apparatus, a mask having rigid head and face portions, an inflatable packing-ring within the latter portion, and a like ring mounted in the head portion and communicating with the aforesaid ring, whereby the pressure of the mask on the head-ring will cause the face-ring to become further inflated, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a respiratory apparatus, a mask having a head and a face portion, an inflatable packing-ring within the latter portion, a like ring mounted within the head portion and communicating with the aforesaid ring, and means for simultaneously expanding and contracting said rings at will.

4:. In combination, a helmet or hood hermetically shutting off the space within the interior of the helmet for the respiratory organs of the operator, and a supplementary air-bag detachably connected to the helmet, by means of a toggle, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination, a respiratory apparatus of the herein-described character, and a support or frame provided with suitable fastening devices for holding the parts and fittings of the said respiratory apparatus, and with yielding boards or plates ff devised to bear upon the back of the operator, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a mask having IIO an air-tight face portion and a supplementary air receptacle connected to the lower part thereof, of an air-supply duct leading into the face portion, a regenerator, a duct leading from the supplementary receptacle to the regenerator, a cooler, a duct connecting the cooler and regenerator, a duct connecting the cooler and said air-supply duct, an injector in the latter duct, and a pressure device connected with the injector, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7 In a respiratory apparatus, a mask having a face portion, means for rendering said portion air-tight when in operative position, an air-purifying apparatus, containing means for absorbing the carbonic acid from exhaled air passing by way of the mask into the purifying apparatus and a cooler for cooling the purified air before it enters together with a new charge of oxygen into the mask.

8. In a respiratory apparatus, a mask having a face portion, means for rendering said portion air-tight when in operative position and an air-purifying apparatus consisting of a closed casing, a series of flat shelves therein carrying granules of air-purifying material, said shelves superposed in such manner that "the circulating air is forced to pass in a zigzag course over them. I

9. In combination, a respiratory apparatus, an air-purifying apparatus comprising aclosed casing having a series of interchangeable fiat shelves of smaller diameter than the casing each provided with depressions in the bottom and indentations at their outer edges, and alternately-interposed shelves of larger diameter than the aforesaid shelves contacting with the Wall of the casing and provided with a central funnel like opening, for the purpose specified.

10. In combination, a respiratory apparatus, an airpurifying apparatus consisting of a closed casing, a series of interchangeable shelves therein each provided with depressions in the bottom, a sieve or wire-Web screen on the top of each shelf, said shelves being superposed in such manner that the circulating air is forced to pass in a zigzag course over all shelves,

J UHANN HEINRICH DRAGER.

Witnesses:

KURT SEYDELL, J OHS. WULF'. 

